Questions tagged [brass]
The family of wind instruments that produce their tone through the buzzing of the lips into a mouthpiece. The most common brass instruments are the trumpet, trombone, tuba, and french horn.
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what is this ornament called?
Can anybody tell me what this sign is called ?
I thought it was a mordent, but why isn't it written above the lines, why is it so short?
Do you know any theory page on it?
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How to monitor trumpet right?
I play trumpet in a band with: drummer, bass, guitar and vocals. Drums are loud enough, and everything else is amplified. Usually I play without amplification, because places are small enough, so ...
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Whats an easier instrument to play than trumpet, with mouth, but still a brass instrument?
Recently I joined my school band. My teacher is having me play trumpet, but the mouth piece is sooooo uncomfortable. I struggle a lot to reach the higher notes especially. My teacher told me that all ...
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Doubling Trumpet and Trombone
I have been playing the trumpet for two years now. I decided on May of the current year to buy a Trombone and play the Trombone as well.
I was getting a really nice tone on the Trumpet but now, for ...
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Wind instruments and sharp keys
As far as I know, most of the wind instruments are transposing, and many of them are either in B, in E-flat or in F - these keys make them more suitable for playing in "flat" keys. My question is why ...
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Learning to play multiphonics on a brass instrument
I would like to learn how to play multiphonics on brass instruments. (I am referring to the kind of multiphonics that are produced when singing/humming a note whilst playing another note.) I gave it a ...
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What parts of instutional education does a non-institutional student miss?
I'm learning to play a trumpet with guidance of a private teacher. He is busy person, so we have lesson once a fortnight.
Now I:
Learn instrument for about a year
Have basic knowledge of music ...
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How can you definitively and scientifically test mouthpieces?
How / Can you definitively and accurately test an instruments mouthpiece (brass) and scientifically quantify and express that data beyond just a simple "On a scale of 1-5 how would you..." style ...
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What is this trumpet attachment called?
Last night, I was watching a television special featuring American music. I noticed that a trumpet player in the band had something attached to her instrument. It appears that the valves of the ...
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Key choice for brass instruments
I've been told several times that brass instruments prefer to play in keys with flats, rather than sharps. As a trumpet player myself, I cannot relate to this preference. E major is just as easy or ...
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Playing Brass in Classical music: Intonation of thirds of a chord is often crucial
When playing classical music with for example a trombone, the player who plays the third of a chord must consciously adjust intonation depending on major / minor chords.
On a piano this is not ...
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How to understand and comprehend the basic major key signatures on the Baritone? [duplicate]
I am a sophomore and play the Baritone in the SCHS (go wild cats!) marching band. I have been in band for four years. I honestly didn't do band originally for anything other than it would look good on ...
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How to reach the lower notes on a B-flat tuba?
(Please note the following assumes the British brass band convention of transposing to C in treble clef, e.g. when I say C, I really mean B-flat.)
I am learning to play the B-flat tuba. The "core ...
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Is a Bb Baritone and a Baritone Horn the same instrument?
I'm about to start A level music and therefore I need to buy an instrument, I play Bb baritone but when I searched for one on the internet all I could find was a baritone horn.
Is this the same ...
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How much noise should a trumpet's valves make?
I just got a new trumpet. When I press down on any of the three valves (without blowing through the trumpet) I can hear a small 'pop' kind of noise. It's not coming from the springs or anything, ...
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Physics behind why a bugle can play several notes, while a whistle only plays one note
A bugle and a whistle are essentially both tubes open at both ends. A bugle has no keys, yet you can play several notes on it. A whistle also has no keys, but it only plays a single note. Why is this?
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Which wind instruments are a problem with braces?
Which wind instruments are a problem with braces? Please make a list showing the relative difficulties.
Clarification: I am also interested in what most people would consider minor inconveniences. ...
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How to make a brass instrument quieter?
I play trumpet at home. I feel a little uncomfortable playing because of the loudness. I found the Silent Brass series by Yamaha, which makes brass sound quieter, and you can still hear everything ...
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Does valve oil in the lead pipe of a trumpet prevent tarnishing?
Sometimes I've gotten the advice to drip a few drops of valve oil in my trumpet's leadpipe before putting on the mouthpiece and start playing. Allegedly this would help to prevent tarnishing and ...
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Why are we told to hold keys down while tuning?
While I tune my Tuba, on multiple occasions my sectional coach has called my section out becuase we do not hold down the keys aligned to the tunning slides of the key we are tuning. Is there a reason ...
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Is it possible to play 2 wind instruments well?
I am currently playing the tenor trombone and flute. I have been playing the trombone for quite a while and I have recently taken up the flute. I am finding it difficult to sustain a strong tone on ...
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Bass and treble clef brass parts
As a euphonium player I have often wondered, why are treble clef parts written for a Bb insturment, and bass clef parts written for a concert C instrument? I understand why different instruments have ...
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Will learning trumpet damage my single reed embouchure?
I mainly play clarinet and sax, but I'd like to pick up a bit of trumpet to be able to play all the big band instruments (albeit quite badly for some of them). However, I've heard that playing brass ...
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Classical music vs March music relationship
What is the relationship between March music and Classical music? To the non-musician they seem to be interchangeable or at least largely overlapping.
But I find March songs much more enjoyable and ...
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Suggestions for writing trumpet parts
When writing a passage for the brass quartet, what are some of the rules that should be observed with regards to the trumpets. I've noticed that due to the trumpet's piercing sound, my quartet ...
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How do I approximate instruments when arranging an orchestral piece for brass ensemble
I am going to arrange Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod for British brass band. I am not sure if it will be a good fit, but it is worth a try.
The instrumentation that I am writing for is standard:
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What is *cuivre* for a trumpet
Cuivre in French means copper, I think.
In music it seems to be the name of the family of Brass instruments. Correct me in this if it is wrong.
In Sibelius, the trumpet has a property (regulated by ...
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First and second valves vs third valve
On B♭ trumpet to play notes E or A is prefered to use 1 and 2 valves, but there is possible to use third valve (most used in our brass band).
1 (valve 1) + 0.5 (valve 2) = 1.5
1.5 (valve 3) ...
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Is smoking & playing horns really incompatible?
I've recently been to a funk jam with a nice horn section.
I've later met them at the break, they were smoking cigarettes one after other, but still, they seemed to have incredible breathe.
I know ...
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What brass band instruments can a cornet player feasibly cover on short notice?
Is it reasonable to expect that an experienced cornet player should be able to pick up a "middle of the band" instrument, like a baritone, or an Eb horn and become reasonably proficient in a few hours ...
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Are there conflicting requirements for technique between large and small brass instruments
I want to know some practical details on what to consider if you want to play different brass instruments of various size. Specially differences between the extremities like trumpet and tuba. Is there ...
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Is it safe to use silicone spray as valve oil?
I used silicone spray to lubricate my trumpet's pistons. It's easier to spray the lubricant on the valves, but can silicone spray damage my trumpet? What about other general purpose lubricants?
I ...
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What instrument is this and why is it held so strangely and played?
Looking at this orchestral performance of sinfonia from Bach's 29th Cantata (BWV 29), it is really curious to see the trombonists (?) holding the horn/trombone with one hand and the way they are ...
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What are the advantages of different mouthpiece sizes?
I played horn from age 10 until age 22, and after a couple of years off I'm starting to play again. I was always pretty mediocre, so I was content to use my elementary-school Holton MDC mouthpiece the ...
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Difference between Baritone and Euphonium
What is the difference between a baritone and a euphonium, and how can you tell? My band director sometimes uses them interchangeably, but I am pretty sure that is not correct. All I know is that this ...
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Can all notes be produced using only the trumpet's valves?
I am learning how to play the trumpet and I am currently practicing my embouchure.
I was wondering if all the musical notes can be done with the valves, or if I have to do some changes in the way I ...
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Learning another instrument?
I have been taking piano for about 6 years, euphonium for 4, and trombone for 1. I tried saxophone but it didn't work out. I am looking to expand my ability in brass instruments instead.
Does anyone ...
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How to hit right partials on brass?
Sometimes when playing a trumpet/flugelhorn part on my own, I can't tell if I'm hitting the right partial, usually in the upper register. Sometimes it's too high, other times too low. What is the ...
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Proper way to finger Flugelhorn
Today, I was playing Holst's Second Suite in F (Movement 1) on my Flugelhorn. It sounded great, but I feel that some particular sequences are a bit muddy in the fingering. I usually play with the ...
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Is the trumpet's theoretical range unlimited?
I'm more wondering about the upper register here, but I suppose this applies to pedal notes also. Is the trumpet's range theoretically unlimited? Is there anything (besides the player) that ...
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How to re-develop double tonguing?
Two years ago, I had no issue double- and triple-tonguing. After a while, however, I seem to have issues playing quickly enough. I suspect that I have gone back to single-tonguing. How can I go back ...
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Adding French Horn to Trumpet and Flugelhorn?
Any advice for how best to add French Horn to my arsenal given that I already play trumpet and flugelhorn? I'm quite proficient at the two and want to add a third instrument this year.
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How to remove a rusted or stuck mouthpiece?
I have an old WWI US Army-issue bugle with the mouthpiece rusted onto the body. what it the best way to get the mouthpiece off without hurting the rest of the instrument?
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Jazz mouthpiece for flugelhorn?
What are some good options for a jazz flugelhorn mouthpiece? I have the Yamaha Bobby Shew and a nice 3C equivalent (for wind ensemble playing), but I want something that will help my range a bit.
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How to develop pedal tones on brass instrument
I play the cornet and have a decent range (F#3-Eb6) and I am trying to develop pedal tones. However, I've encountered some difficulty (actually a lot of difficulty) in doing this.
What is the ...
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How can I use a trumpet in a pop rock band?
We need to arrange several pop rock songs. The band has vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. In addition, we add a trumpet. Do you have any idea, method or example of ...
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Why do trumpet valves shift the pitch down and not up?
I understand how trumpets work - valves open to force the air through crooks, which lengthens the pathway the air must travel, thus decreasing the resonant frequency.
The question is, why are ...
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Why is it harder to lip slur without tonguing?
I was practicing lip slurs yesterday, and I was wondering why it is easier to lip slur between harmonics by tonguing than without tonguing. It seems it should be the same either way-- whether you ...
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Spectrum of brass tones of same fingering
On valve brass instruments, a single fingering may be used to play different notes. For example on the trumpet, leaving all valves open (up) allows the player to play the following notes:
C - G - C - ...
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What instrument is this?
I thought it was a tuba, and it sounds like one, but looking around for pictures it seems the tuba is a smaller instrument. Is this an unusual type of tuba, or what?
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